Strap cutting tool



Sept. 10, 1940. J. E. oT'r 2,214,110

STRAP CUTTING TOOL Filed Aug. 13. 1937 2 Sheetsj-Sheet. 1

Sept. 10, 1940. J. E. OTT 2,214,110

STRAP CUTTING TOOL Filed Aug. 13, 1957 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Patented Sept.10, 1940 l UNITED STATES PATENT 1 OFFICE Ill., assignor to Acme SteelCompany, Chicago,

Ill., a corporation of Illinois Application August 13, 1937, Serial No.158,850

y 4 Claims.

This invention relates to improvements in strap cutting tools and itspurpose is to provide improved means for cutting a supply of flat,flexible steel strapping or the like into `lengths suitable 5 forapplication to boxes, bales, packages, `and the like for reenforcingpurposes. It is-the common practice in this art to apply steel strappingand other flexible binders to boxes, packages, and the like, or togroups of such packages, for the purpose of reenforcing them or holdingthem together and the overlapping ends of the pieces of strap passingaround such a package or group of packages are commonly secured togetherby means of metal seals which embrace the over` lapping strap ends andwhich are adapted to be deformed, along with the portions of the strapenclosed therein, to provide interlocking joints. One form of such aninterlocking joint is disclosed in the United States patent of Ralph H.Norton, No. 1,260,016, dated March 19, 1918.

During the application of flexible binders to some objects, such ascompressible bales of cotton and the like, considerable inconveniencehas heretofore beenencountered by reason. of the 25 dinlculty of holdingthe seals in proper positions with respect to the overlapping strap endspreliminary to and during the operations of forming the interlockingjoints, and in my co-pending application, Serial No. 128,450, filedMarch 1, 1937,1there is disclosed a new form of seal and a new method ofusing that seal by which this diiiiculty is overcome and each pair ofoverlapping strap ends is held in frictional engagement with respect toa surrounding seal until the operator is able to operate upon that sealto provide an interlocking joint. By this method, the ends of any numberof binding straps surrounding a box, bale, or package, may betemporarily` secured in overlapping relation with respect to surroundingmetal seals anda sealing tool may subsequently be brought into `use foroperating upon all of these seals to `deform them and provideinterlocking joints. The invention disclosed in said co-pendingapplication involves the deformation of one end of each link ofstrapping to l provide an inclined wedging surface which is adapted tocooperate with a tubularseal threaded on to the strapping to force theoverlapping strap ends into tight wedging engagement with each other andwith the walls of the seal. One end of each length of strapping which isemployed in the practiceof this method is in its normal flat conditionand after a length of strapping, having a tubular seal threaded thereonto a point adjacent the deformed end thereof, has been passed around abale or package, the flat end of this length of strapping may beinserted through the tubular seal, and the seal may then be passed intoengagement with the inclined wedgingsurface on the deformed end of thestrap to cause the 5 seal and the overlapping strap ends to be-held inproper assembled relationship to each other until a sealing tool can bebrought into operation to shear and bend, or otherwise deform, the sealand the strap ends. This mode of operation is 10 particularlyadvantageous in connection with the strapping of compressible bales andthe like to which straps of predetermined length4 may be applied whilethe bales are under compression so that the straps may be brought to areasonable 15 degree of tautness by a manual operation preliminary toestablishing a temporary, fr ictional joint by forcing the seal intoengagement with the inclined wedging surface on one strap end, afterwhich the seal and strap ends are deformed 20 to provide an interlockingjoint preliminary to permitting the bale to expand to cause the strapsto be drawn taut around the bale.

An important advantage of the method of strapping described above isthat it permits the binding straps to be cut to length from a source ofsupply in the field of operations and the principal object of thepresent invention is, therefore, to provide an improved cutting tool bywhich the lengths of strapping may be cut off from the source of supplywith a simultaneous formation of one deformed end on each strap length,so that each length of strapping is then in readiness for theapplication thereto of a tubular seal. Another important object of theinvention is to provide an improved cutting tool by which metalstrapping or the like may be severed with the formation of an inclinedwedging surface on the strap end at one side of the cut while leavingthe strap at the other side of the cut in its initial 40 flat condition.Still another object of the invention is to provide a tool for cuttinglengths of strapping from a source of supply with an inclined wedgingsurface at one end of each length and a rounded fiat end at the oppositeextremity thereof. Other objects relate to various features ofconstruction and arrangement which will appear more fully hereinafter.

The nature of the invention will be understood from the followingspecification taken with the accompanying drawings, in which twoembodiments of the invention are illustrated. In the drawings, Y

Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a portion of a bale of cotton orother compressible material having applied thereto flexible binderswhich have been cut from a source of supply by means of the tool of thepresent invention;

Fig. 2 is a perspective view of a deformed end oi' the strap length andof a tubular seal adapted to cooperate with that strap end in providinga temporary frictional joint when the other end of the strap is threadedthrough the seal and the seal is brought into engagement with thedeformed ends of the strap;

Fig. 3 shows a longitudinal section through the deformed end of thestrap with the seal applied thereto, before the other end of the straphas -been threaded through the seal;

inclined wedging surface on one end of the strap to form a frictionaljoint;

Fig. 5 shows a top plan view of one form ofv` portable hand tool,embodying the features of the present invention, which may be employedto sever a length of strap from a source of supply and simultaneously toform an inclined wedging surface on one end of the strap;

Fig. 6 is a perspective view of the jaws of the tool illustrated in Fig.5 when these jaws are in partially open position;

Fig. 7 shows a sectional view of the jaws of the tool illustrated inFigs. 5 and 6 after thejaws have been closed upon each other to severthe strap;

Fig. 8 is a perspective view of the adjacent ends of the strap onopposite sides of the cut formed by the tool shown in Figs. 5, 6, and'7, after the ends of the strap have been separated from each other;

Fig. 9 shows a vertical section through a modified form of toolembodying the features of the present invention which is adapted to besecured to a suitable support during use;

Fig. 10 is a perspective view of the opposite ends of a length of strapcut from a source of supply by the use of the tool illustrated in Fig.9;

Fig. l1 shows an enlarged vertical section taken on the line II-II ofFig. 9;

Fig. 12 z's a perspective view of the movable plunger or cutting orshearing die which is embodied in the tool shown in Figs. 9 and 11;

Fig. 13 shows a horizontal section taken on the line l3-I3 of Fig. 11;

Fig. 14 shows a horizontal section'taken on the line M-Il of Fig. 11;'and Fig. 15 shows a top plan view of a section of metal strapping whichhas been operated upon by the tool shown in Figs. 9 and 11, illustratingthe formation of a projecting rib on one end of the strap and thecutting out of a portion of the strapping between this rib and the othercut end which retains the original ilat condition of the strapping.

As shown in Fig. 1, a bale 20, of cotton or other compressible material,having a cover 2lia applied thereto, is reenforced by a plurality ofsurrounding metal straps 2l, formed preferably of steel or the like,which are adapted to have their overlapping ends secured together bymeans of metal seals. The strap 2l at the right of this gure has a seal22 applied thereto at one end of the strap and the other end of thestrap has not yet been threaded through the seal. 'Ihe strap 2| in themiddle position has both ends of the strap threaded through the sealand, in this condition, a frictional joint has been established whichholds the parts in assembled relationship preliminary to the deformationo f the seal and the enclosed strap ends to provide an interlockingjoint such as that shown on the strap at'the left hand side of Fig. 1,where the marginal portions of the seal and the enclosed strap ends aredefrom each other to provide a longitudinal open slot 22a. The bodyportion 22i of this seal is provided with a pair of inwardly punchedcircular projections 22d which are spaced equal distances from the endof the seal and which are located midway between the lateral edgesthereof. When this seal is threaded on to the strap shown in the lowerpart of Fig. 2, one of the projections 22d is adapted to cooperate witha projection 2 le formed on the strap at one extremity thereof, whichprojection ZIB provides an inclined wedging surface adapted to cooperatewith the projection'22d. to force the strap toward the opposite flanges22h of the seal. In Fig. 4 of the drawings, the end 2|'n of the strapwhich carries the projection 2l, and also the opposite ilat end 21 ofthe strap, are both threaded through the seal 22, and it will beapparent that when the seal is forced downwardly against the inclinedprojection on the end 2 lb of` the strap, both strap ends will be forcedtoward the flanges 22b of the seal and a-frictional joint will be formedby which the seal and the enclosed strap ends are held in fixed relationto each other. This temporary frictional joint is adapted to besubsequently operated upon by a sealing tool to form a permanentinterlocking joint.

In Figs. 5, 6, and '7 of the drawings, there is illustrated one form ofstrap cutting tool embodying the features of the present invention bywhich a length of,v4 strap may be out from a source of Ysupply withtheformation of the projection 2l on the strap l*at.lone side of the cut,While leaving the adjacent cut end of the strap in its originalflatstate.

This tool is of a scissor-like formation, covering a pair of levers 24and 25 which are pivoted upon each other by means of a bolt 26 engagedat one end by a nut 26, and provided at the ends'of their longer armswith open handles 21 into which the fingers of the operator are adaptedto be inserted. These levers are provided on the side of the bolt 26opposite the handles 21 with jaws 24 and 25n which are adapted tocooperate with each other, when the jaws are closed upon each other, tosever a strap. The extent to which the jaws may be closed is limited bya pair of lugs 28 formed on the levers adjacent the handles and adaptedto engage each other. One jaw 24'* is provided at its extremity with aprojection zlb'adapted to form a shoulder 24c which holds the strap inits proper position between the jaws while it is being cut, and asimilar projection h, forming a similar shoulder 25, is formed on theother jaw. The jaw 24a has a cutting or shearing edge 24d which isadapted to cooperate with a similar cutting o r shearing edge 25 on theother jaw to cut the strap. The jaw 25 is provided at an intermediateVpoint with an upwardly extending projection 25e,- having a-substantially semi-circular end surface, which, when the strap issevered by the action of the cutting edges, is adapted to project thematerial of the strap at one side of the cut transversely to its ownplane to form a projection 2| on one end of the strap which has aninclined wedging surface thereon. The

4shoulders 24c and 25c are preferably spaced from the shoulders 241' and25f respectively, at the inner ends of the cutting edges of the jaws, adistance substantially equal to or slightly greater than the width ofthe strap to be cut so that if the strap is properly inserted betweenthe jaws against the shoulders 24f and 25f, the projection 25c will forma deformation in the strap end at a point midway between its edges.

In the form of the invention shown in Figs. 9, 11, 12, 13, and 14, aframe is provided with flanges 30' adapted to rest upon a suitablesupport 3| to which the frame is secured by cap screws 32 or the like.'I'his frame 30 is provided with a vertically extending tubular portion3|)b having formed therein a rectangular opening or passage 3|)c inwhich there is mounted a movable shearing or cutting die 33 adapted tocooperate with a stationary shearing or cutting die 34 mounted in thelower end of the opening. The tubular portion 3|!b is provided with atransverse slot 3|ld adapted to receive the strap which is to beoperated upon by the shearing dies 33 and 34. Themova'ble die 33isadapted to be moved into engagement with the strap seated on the lowerdie bymeans of an operating lever or handle 35 which is pivotallymounted upon a pin 36 extending through the opposite lwalls of thetubular portion 33 and engaged at its ends by transverse cotter pins 31,as shown in Fig. 11. The hub of the operating lever 35 is provided witheccentric portions 35 which pivotally engage apertures 38ll :formed inlinks 33 which extend downwardly on opposite sides of the movable die 33with their lower ends pivotally connected to this die by a transversepin 40, having its ends arranged to form a sliding engagement with thewalls of the passage 33.

'I'he lower cutting or shearing die 34 is formed as two separatecomplementary parts numbered 34" which are secured in position withinthe lower end of the passage 30 by means of studs 4| passing throughapertures in the wall oi. the passage and threadedly engaging aperturesin the die members. 'I'hese die members 34'L are provided at their upperends with arcuate anges 34* which are spaced apart as shown at 42 inFig. 1 4', and which are of a width slightly greater than the width ofthe strap to be operated upon. One of these die members 34* is providedon its upper side with an upwardly extending projection 34, of angularcross section, which is adapted to engage the under side of the strap toforce it upwardly and thereby provide a projection 43 in the strap 43being operated upon by the tool, as shown in Fig. 10.

'Ihe movable cutting die 33, which is adapted lto be reciprocated by theoperation of the lever 35, is reversible in position, and is provided ateach end with a pair of arcuate recesses 33*l of such shape that theyare adapted to receive and be closely ntted by the arcuate projections34" formed on the lower die members. These arcuate recesses 33h in theupper die member are separated by an intervening projection 33 which isadapted to extend downwardly to the vgap 42 between the cutting nanges34" o! the lower die members. It will be apparent that when the lever 35is moved from the position shown by full lines in Fig. 9 to the positionshown by dotted lines in that figure, the upper cutting die 33 will bemoved downwardly to shear 01T the strap along two curved cutting lines43b and 43C, shown in Fig. 15, and that an intervening portion ofstrapping 43d will be severed from both adjacent strap portions, one ofwhich will have formed thereon the projection 43a which forms aninclined Wedging surface having a depth gradually increasing toward theend of this strap end, while the strap end at the other side of theremoved portion 43i will -be in its original flat condition.

Although certain forms of the improved strap cutting tool of the presentinvention have been shown and described by way of illustration, it willbe understood that they may be constructed in various other embodimentscoming within the scope of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A strap cutting tool comprising a pair of pivoted levers havingshearing dies adapted to cut a strap transversely throughout its width,one of said dies having a part adapted to form a projection extendinglongitudinally of the strap from one side of the cut, said shearing dieshaving shoulders radapted to engage an edge of the strap to position itwith respect to said projection part.

2. A strap cutting tool comprising aiframe, a pair of stationary diemembers removably mbunted in said. frame and having opposite curvedcutting edges diverging away from each other, a movable die membermounted in said frame and having recesses adapted to receive por-r tionsof said first named die members and having a part adapted to extendbetween said ilrst named die members, one of said stationary die membershaving a projection adapted to deform a portion of the strap insertedlbetween said 4stationary die member and said movable die member toproduce a projection in the vstrap extending transversely to the planeof the stra and means for actuating said movable die member.

3. A strap cutting tool comprising a pair of pivoted levers havingpivoted shearing blades adapted to cut a strap transversely throughoutits width, one oi' said -blades having shoulders at its ends adapted toposition the strap on the blade during the cutting operation, one ofsaid blades having a projection extending beyond the cutting edgethereof to form on one cut end of the strap during the cutting operationa projection having a wedging surface inclined longitudinally of thestrap.

4. A strap cutting tool comprising a frame, a stationary die and amovable die mounted in the said trame, said dies having spaced roundedcutting edges adapted to shear the strap transversely throughout itswidth to form rounded extremities on two strap ends with the removal oi'an intervening part oi' thestrap, one of said dies having a taperedprojecting part of convex cross-section which is inclined away from oneo1' said rounded cutting edges, whereby the operation of cutting thestrap forms an inclined projection on one of said cut strap ends whichis inclined longitudinally of the strap.

JOHN EKERN OTI. 10

